The Worst Years of My Life
Middle School Series, Book 1
سری مدارس متوسطه، کتاب ۱
گزارش تخلف
فرمت کتاب
audiobook
تاریخ انتشار
2011
Lexile Score
700
Reading Level
3
ATOS
4.5
Interest Level
4-8(MG)
نویسنده
Bryan Kennedyناشر
Hachette Book Groupشابک
9781611136036
کتاب های مرتبط
- اطلاعات
- نقد و بررسی
- دیدگاه کاربران
نقد و بررسی
May 30, 2011
Patterson turns from the governmental oppression of his Witch & Wizard series to a more everyday form: the social and academic confines of middle school. Emboldened by his friend Leo, newly minted sixth-grader Rafe Khatchadorian embarks on a plan to break every one of his school's rules, frustrating his teachers, causing his grades to suffer, and landing him in detention. Things aren't any better at home, due to the constant, unpleasant presence of "Bear," who Rafe's mother is dating. Park's cartoons are pitch-perfect and do their share of storytelling, sometimes betraying the gap between Rafe's version of events and reality (in one scene, a teacher, portrayed as a dragon, screams, "I don't want to eat you. Just talk to me"). The subject matter gets surprisingly dark, particularly regarding Bear's emotional abusiveness and two twists involving Rafe's relationship with Leo, though the latter arrives so late its impact is weakened. But the book's ultrashort chapters, dynamic artwork, and message that "normal is boring" should go a long way toward assuring kids who don't fit the mold that there's a place for them, too. Ages 8â12.
Narrator Bryan Kennedy animates the angst and glory of Rafe Khatchadorian's first year in middle school. With quick changes in pitch and pacing, Kennedy matches the roller coaster of events recounted in Rafe's sketchbook, which details his attempt to break every rule in school. Rafe and his imaginary friend, Leo the Silent, make one rule: No one gets hurt. That rule is what makes Rafe different from his soon-to-be-stepfather, Bear. As Rafe ponders the turmoil of his life, he tries to decide what it means to be good or bad when he's always in trouble either way. With or without the accompanying PDF of Rafe's sketches (downloadable and available on the last CD), Kennedy's performance achieves a vivid rendering of Rafe's art in the listener's mind. A.M.P. (c) AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine
November 1, 2011
Gr 5-7-As Rafe sits in an assembly on the first day of middle school, he has a brilliant idea. He will try to break every rule in the school handbook, such as chewing gum, running in the hallways, etc. With the help of his friend Leo, he comes up with a computer-game-like point system to reward himself for successful rule-breaking efforts. Although Rafe's antics are humorous, listeners sense that his plan is a desperate attempt to deal with countervailing forces in his life: a harsh step father, academic challenges, and loneliness. Bryan Kennedy does a great job of capturing Rafe's preteen vocal cadence and expression. There is an energy and youthful enthusiasm to his performance that will appeal to listeners. The print version of the book by James Patterson (Little, Brown, 2011) is illustrated with the main character's "own" drawings which play a central role in the story. One CD contains PDF copies of those illustrations. The text of the book is altered a little to prompt listeners to open the illustrations from the CD. It's probably simpler to listen to the recording with the print version of the book in hand. This book will appeal those who enjoyed The Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Amulet Books, 2007) several years ago, but are ready for a bit more mature story line.-Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT
Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
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